The Spanish Consul General in London has resigned amid claims he let a disgraced banker stay at his exclusive official residence in the capital.

Rafael Jover quit after reports also emerged that he let under-investigation banker Miguel Blesa use chauffeur-driven cars during a visit in April. Mr Blesa is facing a probe relating to his time as chairman of a Spanish bank whose troubles sparked a crisis that left his country’s financial system on the verge of collapse.

In a statement Mr Jover said he did not feel there had been anything improper in his behaviour.

He went on to explain that he resigned to end controversy over the issue and out of respect for his family and diplomatic career.

Spanish television network La Sexta broadcast images filmed during Mr Blesa’s visit and reported that he stayed at Mr Jover’s residence for four days and five nights.

Mr Blesa was the chairman of Caja Madrid, one of several troubled banks that were merged to form the Bankia group, which was then nationalised in 2012 due to heavy losses. The organisation’s problems exacerbated a crisis that left the country’s financial system in need of a £31 billion EU bailout.

Since then Mr Blesa has faced protests from bank customers who lost money during the financial crash.

Initially Mr Jover refused to comment on the visit from the banker. But his resignation came after Spanish opposition politicians demanded answers from the foreign ministry in Madrid.

Mr Jover later said in a statement there had been nothing “incorrect” in what he did. He added: “Out of respect for my family and the diplomatic service, which I’ve loyally served so many years, I am not prepared to keep this controversy going and I have decided to resign voluntarily as Spanish Consul General in London.”

Spanish Foreign Affairs Minister Jose Manuel Garcia-Margallo said Mr Jover had been occupying the Consul General position on an interim basis.

Diplomatic sources have explained consuls are paid two separate amounts — their salary and a ‘budget allowance’ — and that Mr Jover might be guilty of “an illegal act” if he had used the second to entertain Mr Blesa and his wife.